CARERS in Okehampton, Hatherleigh and Chagford who provide unpaid support for families, partners or friends who need help because they are ill, frail or have a disability, can seek support from three carers' support groups in the area.

Devon Carers has set up support groups in all three towns to help carers who may be struggling alone or just need assistance with a particular issue.

The organisation provides information, advice, health and wellbeing checks, training, a young carers' service, a carer alert card to ensure the person cared for gets help should something unexpected happen to the carer, a regular newsletter including local updates and news and a telephone helpline open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and on Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

The Okehampton carers' support group meets on the second Friday of each month at the Glen on Castle Road from 2pm to 4pm. Future dates are February 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8.

Hatherleigh carers' group meets at the town's community centre on the third Wednesday of every month from 2pm to 3.30pm and Chagford's carers' group meets for coffee at the Ring O' Bells in the Square on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to 11.30am.

For any further information call 08456 434435.